Postdoctoral Research Assistant – Electroactive Biomaterials for Cardiac Tissue Engineering

About the role

The University of Oxford is seeking a full‑time Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join Professor Malavika Nair’s group in the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. The role is funded by an EPSRC New Investigator Award and runs until 31 March 2027. You will develop electroactive biomaterials and bioelectronic devices to promote cardiac regeneration.

Key responsibilities

• Culture and assess induced pluripotent stem cell‑derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC‑CMs).
• Process and synthesize electroactive biopolymers for regenerative medicine and drug delivery.
• Fabricate and physicochemically characterise bioelectronic devices.
• Optimise electrical stimulation protocols to enhance cardiomyocyte maturation.
• Collaborate with clinicians and academic cardiologists to create physiologically relevant in‑vitro cardiomyopathy models.
• Contribute to experimental design, data analysis, manuscript preparation, and grant development.

Required profile

• PhD (or submitted thesis) in biological sciences, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience with iPSC‑derived cardiomyocyte culture or comparable ex‑vivo cardiac models.
• Strong record of research achievement and scientific publications.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent scientific communication and writing skills.

Required skills

• iPSC‑CM culture techniques.
• Electroactive biopolymer synthesis.
• Bioelectronic device fabrication.
• Physicochemical characterisation of biomaterials.
• Electrical stimulation protocol optimisation.